May 8th 2024.
In a recent interview at a business conference in California, New York Governor Kathy Hochul received backlash for a statement she made about the lack of computer knowledge among young Black children in the Bronx. However, the governor has since clarified that she misspoke and deeply regrets her words.
Hochul was discussing the expansion of economic opportunities in AI for low-income communities when she stated, "Right now, we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don't even know what the word computer is. They don't know, they don't know these things." The comment quickly went viral on social media, causing outrage among many users.
Realizing the impact of her words, Hochul has offered an apology and explanation. She clarified that she knows Black children in the Bronx are aware of computers, but the issue lies in their lack of access to technology. This is a problem that Hochul has been actively working to address since the beginning of her administration, and she will continue to fight for economic opportunities for all New Yorkers.
However, some social media users were not satisfied with the governor's apology. One user, @urbanmodernis, pointed out that although there are children in the Bronx who have the skills to build computers, they lack access to STEM programs. They also criticized Hochul for not providing enough funding for these programs.
Another user, @GJonesWright, expressed frustration with people constantly apologizing for "misspeaking" about Black people. They stated that it is not enough to apologize and that there needs to be accountability for the constant disrespect and demeaning of Black communities.
Even state legislators were taken aback by Hochul's statement. Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo, a Bronx Democrat, called her words harmful, misinformed, and appalling. She also pointed out that perpetuating stereotypes about underserved communities only contributes to systemic abuse.
However, not all lawmakers are condemning the governor. Mayor Eric Adams believes that Hochul meant no harm and knows her heart. He acknowledged that when one makes thousands of speeches, mistakes are bound to happen. Fellow Bronx representative, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, also defended Hochul, stating that he believes she genuinely wants to see all students in the Bronx excel.
In conclusion, Governor Hochul has acknowledged and taken responsibility for her mistake and is actively working to address the issue of access to technology for Black children in the Bronx. While some may still be angered by her statement, others are willing to forgive and move forward, recognizing her intentions and efforts.
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